Concerns raised over Doncaster YouTuber who posed wearing police style gear

Police say concerns have been raised about a Doncaster YouTuber and so-called “auditor” who posed in police style gear - including a pair of handcuffs - next to a patrol car, with an investigation launched.

Officers have confirmed they are aware of the activities of vlogger TR Drones who is part of a bizarre, online craze known as “auditing” where people turn up unannounced and unvited at police incidents, shops and businesses and begin filming - often looking to provoke an angry reaction from those being filmed.

In aa recent incident, filmed outside a business centre in Louth, Lincolnshire, the vlogger and a pal - named in the clip as Josh - can be seen confronting an individual who asks to see their ID. The pair are dressed in black, police style clothing with check marking, along with force style radios and handcuffs.

The footage then shows Lincolnshire Police officers in a patrol car confronting the pair with one of the officers saying: “You’re dressed like cops.”

One of the pair replies: “No, we look nothing like you,” as the officer responds: “You are dressed like us.”

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “We are aware of individuals operating in the Louth area who could be described as ‘auditors’ and are wearing uniforms that may resemble police clothing, although they are clearly marked "Drone Operator" on the back.

“At the time of writing, no criminal offences have been reported in connection with their activity.

“However, concerns have been raised regarding alleged civil trespass, which has been reported to the relevant parties.”

In a later post, TR Drones shared a photo of himself dressed all in black police style gear - complete with handcuffs - next to a patrol car in Church Way, Doncaster and asked page users: “Is my outfit legal or illegal?”

In response, one told him: “I'd call you a sad little man, but the word man would be a stretch..”

Another wrote: “Get a life,” while another shared: “Didn't know they made police gear in child sizes.”

Another posted: “What a strange little man.”

It is the latest in a series of controversies involving the vlogger.

Earlier this year, he filmed himself haranguing police officers attending an incident in Doncaster, telling them to “jog on” and “get back to work” and accusing one of “a bad attitude” when he asked for details of the incident.

And it came just weeks after the same video blogger was caught in a bizarre bust-up at Doncaster shop where he and other self-styled “auditor” filmed themselves clashing with staff.

Drone users and mobile phone operators claim they are “auditing” - but videos regularly see so-called auditors clashing with police, security guards and staff with accusations being of creating deliberately provocative videos and antagonising people to crank up video hits.

So-callled auditors are on the rise in the UK, with wannabe social media stars flying drones over factories, police stations and shopping centres and being watched by thousands of people online – with viewers tuning in to watch them face challenges.

Several weeks ago, TR Drones and another page, Auditing Yorkshire, made headlines when they filmed themselves at the Discount Food Warehouse in Mexborough arguing over the store’s basket policy and being asked to leave the premises.